What Is The Main Cause Of Death For Teenagers?
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As a parent or guardian, you may believe that it is your responsibility to ensure that your children remain safe, despite their potential tendencies to experiment and rebel. If you're the caregiver or parent of a teen who often takes risks, you may wonder what the leading cause of death for adolescents is.
What is the primary cause of teenage deaths?
In a phase between childhood and adulthood, teenagers are often characterized by rebellious natures and the desire to test new paths. While it can sometimes be worrisome for a parent, rebelliousness in teenagers can be natural and beneficial.
Many teenagers make mistakes in figuring out what they want or who they are. However, does natural recklessness factor into the statistics related to the primary cause of death for teens? There are two leading causes of death in teenagers, discussed below.
The leading cause of death in teens: Accidents
Over 30% of teenage and child deaths result from unintentional injury. However, this statistic may be further separated and refined into subcategories. Suicide and homicide are the second cause of death in teens. The number one killer of teenagers is car accidents and motor vehicle fatalities.
Among accidents, the subcategories may include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Drug overdose
- Unintentional drowning
- Transportation (besides motor vehicles)
- Accidental discharge of a firearm
Accident prevention
While accidents can be a heavy topic and sometimes painful to talk about or consider, discussing these realities with your children and family. It can be less painful than talking with medical staff or legal services after the fact.
Teenagers may not have the life experience to guide them the way many adults do, so they may need someone to rely on to offer them support, conversation, and understanding. Support and education can be helpful when dealing with taboo, complicated, or scary topics.
Motor vehicle accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of accident-related deaths in teenagers. Motor vehicle accidents make up over 50% of all accident-related deaths in adolescents, making it the leading cause overall.
When surveyed, at least one in four teenagers stated that they don't use a seatbelt on every ride. Reasons for this included that they forgot, were not planning on traveling far, were going to a party, or the seatbelt was uncomfortable.
Texting while driving may also be a primary factor in motor vehicle crashes, with two out of every five teenagers in the same study admitting that they have ridden with a teen driver who was texting. Most social media sites are designed to distract with continual updates used for engagement and advertising purposes, and teens can be highly susceptible. A similar number of teens also admitted to riding as a passenger with a friend who was talking on a phone, and 95% said they think other teens have ridden with drivers who were texting or talking on a phone.
Lastly, alcohol consumption may be a significant factor as well, with 40% of alcohol-related fatal car crashes involving teens. This percentage used to be significantly higher than other leading causes of motor vehicle accidents, but the number has gone down with widespread efforts to curb the prevalence of drunk driving among teen drivers.
Talking to your teen about the dangers of distracted driving, not entering a car with a drunk driver, and practicing seatbelt safety may be beneficial for preventing this type of accident. Even if your teen does not drive, they may know someone who does.
Suicide and homicide as the second leading cause of death in teens
With the onset of adolescence, many teens want more responsibility than they had as children. They may want to shape, define and refine their identity. This period in life can also be earmarked by new experiences and the pursuit of dreams and aspirations. However, this self-discovery period also comes with changes in their biology, including changing physical appearances and a higher dose of hormones.
Psychologists have often stated that the ages 13-19 are undoubtedly some of the most emotionally turbulent times in our lives. It is also often theorized that at this time in our lives, we may be at higher risk for many mental health issues, like depression, anxiety, addiction, and body dysmorphic disorder, to take root in our minds.
As parents, guardians, loved ones, and friends, it may help to focus not only on teens' physical health but also on their mental health. Studies show that teens experience higher rates of suicide and homicide than adults.
An update on teen deaths related to firearm violence
The number one killer of teenagers has shifted over the last couple of years. There is some overlap in firearm deaths between both accidental injury and homicide/suicide, making it important enough to address the new details as a separate category. In a report regarding mortality trends that was recently updated and released by the Centers for Disease Control in 2020 and published by the New England Journal of Medicine, increasing firearm mortality has overtaken motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of death of children and adolescents. This age group is defined as individuals between 1 and 19 years of age.
In the years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, firearm violence and firearm-related mortality have shown a significant increase, reaching a new peak in 2020. The total number of deaths among children and adolescents hit 29.5%, which is more than twice as high as the increase in the general population. In that same period, the Center for Disease Control also found that drug overdoses and poisonings in this group shot up by 83.6%, making this category the third leading cause of teen death. The New England Journal of Medicine analyzed Centers for Disease Control data and concluded that the increase in firearm deaths reflects a longer-term trend of failure to prottect teens from a preventable cause of death.
If your teenage child or a family member has communicated homicidal urges to you, consider reaching out to a mental health professional as soon as possible. If your teen has received a threat, is being bullied, or has information about another child who has indicated an intention of hurting others, report it to their school and the authorities.
What can I do to help my teenager as a parent?
While your teens may still be growing into functioning adults, they aren't quite there yet. Many complex neurological changes occur before teenagers' brains operate the same way adult brains do.
Being a teenager can be characterized by making mistakes and learning from them; however, as their parent or guardian, you may work to ensure these mistakes are not fatal or harmful to your child.
Teaching your teens critical thinking techniques and highlighting the importance of safety can go a long way toward preventing accidents.
Getting professional help
At times, taking the time to listen to their problems is all you need to do to show your teen that you care and are there for them. However, the importance of seeking out professional help may not be overlooked.
If you think your teen is showing signs of depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns, speaking to a mental health professional as soon as possible could prevent devastating outcomes.
Many parents opt into online therapy for their child or themselves to handle the changes that can come with adolescence. Attending a counseling session from home can be beneficial for parents with busy lives.
Online therapy has been proven by many clinical studies to be just as effective, if not more effective, than in-person therapy. Other evidence shows that digital cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression, offering some much-needed relief to people who seek out these avenues of care.
If you believe that you, a teenager you love, or both, could benefit from online therapy, reach out to a certified counselor on an online platform such as BetterHelp to start your journey toward mental peace.
Takeaway
Consider reaching out for support if you're concerned with your child's development or behaviors. Parents may benefit from therapy to talk about their feelings or worries. A licensed counselor could help you and your family.
What is the leading cause of death in adolescence?
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 1.1 million adolescents die each year worldwide. The leading causes are road traffic injuries, followed by suicide and interpersonal violence. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the leading cause of adolescent death is accidental death (unintentional injuries), followed by homicide and suicide.
What are the top ten causes of death for children, including violence, drowning, and firearms?
The top ten causes of death for children in the United States as of 2020 are listed below, along with an approximate number of deaths per 100,000 children.
Firearms
Related injury, 5.7 deaths per 100,000
Car accidents
Motor vehicle crashes, 5.0 deaths per 100,000
Drugs and medication overdose
Drug overdose and poisoning, 2.3 deaths per 100,000
Carcinoma
Malignant neoplasm (cancer), 2.25 deaths per 100,000
Suicide
Suicide and suffocation, 2.0 deaths per 100,000
abnormalities
Congenital abnormalities, 1.0 death per 100,000
Drowning
Drowning, 1.0 death per 100,000
Heart-related problem
Heart disease, 0.75 deaths per 100,000
Fire and burns
Fire and burns, 0.4 deaths per 100,000
Respiratory disease
Chronic respiratory disease, 0.3 deaths per 100,000
What is the second leading cause of unintentional death among teenagers after motor vehicle and car accidents?
The second leading cause of unintentional death in teenagers is poisoning, accounting for about 16% of all cases. Preceding it as the leading cause of unintentional death in teenagers is motor vehicle accidents, accounting for the majority of fatal incidents affecting adolescents at 62%. Drowning was also a significant source of accidental death, attributable to 7% of cases.
What are the common accidents in adolescence?
Adolescence is a risky time in a person’s life. Teenagers begin to separate from their parents and demand autonomy before their brains are developed enough to make rational, informed decisions. The combination of newfound freedom and independence combined with poor decision-making leads many teenagers to engage in reckless or impulsive behavior.
Previous analyses indicate that car accidents are one of the most common sources of adolescent death and injuries. The inherent recklessness of adolescence contributes significantly to accidental death, with car accidents leading the way. Poor judgment also contributes to other major causes of accidental death, like poisoning and drowning.
What is the leading cause of death in children aged 10 to 14: suicide or accidental injuries?
Globally, the leading cause of death in children aged 10 to 14 is a lack of water, hygiene and sanitation. In the United States, death in children 10 to 14 most often occurs because of accidental injuries, with car accidents being the most common source. Suicide was the second most common cause of death, and cancer was the third.
What are the two common problems of adolescence?
Teenagers have a challenging path to navigate. Two common problems are the rapidly increasing complexity of the world around them and a brain that has not yet developed enough to make wise decisions. This combination forces teens to make decisions that aren’t often based on common sense. For example, a teenager trying to impress a potential romantic partner might perform dangerous actions to demonstrate bravery, such as driving recklessly.
Teenagers also tend to struggle to anticipate the future and recognize how their actions will impact them. Much of that knowledge comes from lived experience and having worked through difficult situations. Teenagers have very little lived experience and are often unable to understand that situations often deteriorate or improve with very little input. They may feel hopeless or helpless, contributing to heightened adolescent suicide rates, or they may feel invulnerable, increasing reckless behavior.
Why are teenage years so difficult?
The teenage years are likely difficult because adolescents are expected to handle adult situations with maturity despite having little lived experience and a lot of maturing left to do. Adolescence is a time of rapid growth and development. It is a period where children learn valuable adult skills and how to anticipate the consequences of their actions.
Those with adequate stewardship and guidance from their parents are likely to do better than those who figure it out independently. Without guidance, teenagers often navigate life through trial and error; they learn most life lessons through direct experience, and the consequences can sometimes be significant.
What is the biggest problem during adolescence?
Likely, the biggest problem during adolescence is that teens don’t yet have brains that are developed enough to handle the complexity of the adult situations they are expected to handle. This is one of the reasons teenagers have “soft” introductions to serious adult situations. For example, evidence suggests that only 2% of high school couples go on to enter permanent relationships in adulthood. One could reasonably consider dating in high school as an introduction to dating as adults, letting teens develop romantic skills in a low-stakes environment.
The problem begins to emerge when teens are asked to do things that are more significant for their future than dating. One example is the organizational prioritization skills teens develop in high school. Those skills are likely necessary for higher education or gainful employment. On the one hand, teens need to be put in a position where they practice difficult skills like time management. On the other, this is likely the first serious application of those skills, making the demands placed on teenagers feel much greater than most adults would likely consider them.
How does mental health affect teens, and what role do issues like drugs use play?
Good adolescent health requires balancing physical and mental health responsibilities as teenagers learn to be happy and healthy. Teenagers are more vulnerable to mental health issues than adults; they have not yet learned appropriate coping strategies, may not be prepared for their considerable workload, and are likely unaware of their own boundaries and limits.
Most adolescents require instruction and guidance regarding their mental health; a teenager will rarely be able to navigate the complexities of life without making any mistakes. Those without guidance tend to learn through trial and error, which may lead to ineffective habits and poor coping strategies. The impact of mental health can be significant. Adolescents with mental health problems are less likely to have health care resources and are at an increased risk of substance use disorders, risky sexual behaviors, school dropout, and other adverse effects, which will likely compound and worsen in adulthood.
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